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The Archbishop of Toledo has sparked a furore after telling his congregation that domestic violence often happened because "a woman rejects a man demands".

The Archbishop of Toledo, Braulio Rodríguez, has caused controversy with a series of comments on domestic violence he made during a sermon.

The majority of cases of domestic violence happen because the woman’s partner "does not accept them" or "rejects them for not accepting their demands" he told the congregation.

He went on to lay the blame for many cases of domestic violence on the woman in the relationship.

"Often the macho reaction comes about because she asked for a separation," the archbishop said, according to local newspaper, Periódico CLM.

Archbishop of Toledo Braulio Rodríguez. Photo: jem/Wikimedia

He also questioned the use of the term "domestic violence" during the sermon, given during a mass held in Toledo Cathedral on December 27th. His comments were published in the Our Father parish bulletin.

Archbishop Rodríguez also used his sermon to complain that many problem relationships came about becuase they were not " a true marriage" and he also slammed the practice of "quickie divorces".

"I don’t think our political leaders are worried about divorce figures when they have fought so hard to implement the so-called 'quickie divorce'," he said.

The Archbishop's comments have angered many Spanish women, who have taken to social media to slam the cleric.